Weekend Reminders

Weekend Reminders on Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Graham Nash and Emmylou Harris announced this afternoon they’ll perform three concerts together this summer. The dates are July 23 at Kresge Auditorium in Interlochen, MI; July 24 at Meadow Brook Amphitheater in Rochester Hills, MI; and July 26 at Ravinia in Highland Park, IL. I notice that leaves July 25 open for Emmylou and Graham to drop by my house in Illinois to celebrate my birthday.

Depending on when you read this, you could still catch an official screening of director Jonas Åkerlund’s documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead taking place tonight at 7:30 pm at The Vic Theatre on Chicago’s north side. WDRV The DRIVE on-air personality Janda Lane will host the event.

Also happening tonight, prog rock band McLuhan and folk rock trio Esmerelda’s Boys will share a double bill at Phyllis’ Musical Inn. Esmerelda’s Boys will kick things off at 8:00 pm and McLuhan will perform at 9:00 pm. Both acts have been performing on the Chicago scene more and more lately; and McLuhan has two new singles to showcase. Phyllis’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division.

Chicago area musicians John San Juan, Casey McDonough, Phil Angotti, Scott Tipping, and John Perrin will take a deep dive into The Beatles’ repertoire at The Venue in Aurora, IL this Saturday night. These lads have plenty of experience on the local scene covering The Beatles, so we can definitely trust then to get adventurous.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for Mike Campbell And The Dirty Knobs at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on July 9. Guitarist-vocalist Campbell played an essential role with Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, and released Vagabonds, Virgins And Misfits, his third album with The Dirty Knobs, in 2024.

Pravda Records recording artists The Handcuffs will have their first gig of 2026 this Saturday at Liar’s Club (1655 W. Fullerton ) on Chicago’s north side. They’ll be part of a triple bill with The Midnight Calls and The Kozmic Kids. The Handcuffs have been busy in the studio working on the follow-up to their impressive 2022 album Burn The Rails.

The Astound Irish Village Market will take place 9:00 am – 3:00 pm this Saturday at Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. The event coincides with the city’s official dyeing of the Chicago River, and will feature Irish food, beverages, crafts, and entertainment.

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs. After a short time off, Cohen is back to performing regular gigs and will be at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights, IL tomorrow night.

Rhythm and blues singer Gerald McClendon has a show next Wednesday at Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL. Frequently described as The Soulkeeper, McClendon has been impressing audiences around the Chicago area for a number of years.

As noted in the March edition of the Illinois Entertainer, tomorrow’s new album releases include PLAY ME by Kim Gordon and A Pound Of Feathers by The Black Crowes.